The Bucket of Ice

One bitter winter morning, Emperor Akbar arrived at court visibly angry. A matter of state had gone wrong, and several ministers had failed in their duties. His voice echoed through the halls, his temper as sharp as the wind outside.

The courtiers trembled in silence, afraid to speak.

Birbal, ever calm, slipped away briefly and returned with a large metal bucket filled with ice. Without a word, he placed it in front of the emperor.

Akbar looked at it, puzzled. “What is this, Birbal? Do you mock me with ice while I burn with fury?”

Birbal bowed gently. “Not mockery, Jahanpanah a mirror. Even the strongest fire cools when it sees what it reflects. Your anger may be justified, but it clouds your wisdom. Like ice, calmness may seem cold… but it clears the mind.”

Akbar stared into the bucket. The mist rising from the ice reminded him of his steaming temper fleeting, unstable, and quickly fading. He let out a long breath, then chuckled.

“You’ve done it again, Birbal. The ice has melted my anger faster than reason ever could.”

The court relaxed, and calm returned.

Moral: In moments of anger, cool reflection brings more clarity than heated reaction.